Slidable nut actuated, slidable outer jaw wrench



June 10, 1958 c. L. PRITCHETT 2,337,952

SLIDABLE ACTUATED, SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Filed July 2, 1957 3 CLARENCE L.PR|TCHETT BY f-QLMMK/ Unite 1 States SLIDABLE NUT ACTUATED, SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Clarence L. Pritchett, La Canada, Calif.

Application July 2, 1957, Serial No. 669,552 8 Claims. (Cl. 81-172) such as dirt, congealed grease and oil upon the movable parts. Since the wrenches are generally exposed to such conditions because of the nature of the work that such wrenches are associated with, it becomes extremely important to provide a wrench which will not bind under any conditions. Most prior art quick adjusting wrenches tend to bind in two places: one is between the quick acting threaded portion and the follower nut, and the other is between the bearing surfaces and the slidable carriage. Since the follower nut is in completely threaded engagement with the quick acting threaded portion, the foreign matter, once it is enmeshed with the nut or the threaded portion,'cannot be thrown off or diverted to a side, and as a consequence the nut tends to bind on the quick acting threaded portion. Another likely place where the prior art quick acting wrenches tend to bind is in the bearings for the handle members, whereon the carriage is slidably mounted. Any particle of dirt that gets into the bearings almost always makes the prior art wrenches inoperative. Some prior art quick acting wrenches have grooved bearings to rectify this situation; however, these grooved bearings are not the complete answer since they too tend to bind at each longitudinal sharp junction of bearing surfaces and groove-thus cutting into the handle members upon which the grooved bearings slide. It should also be noted that there is a tendency for the foreign particles, when caught within the hearings, to score the handle members and the bearing surfaces which in turn leads to a loose mounting of the carriage, resulting in the carriage inclining to one side and binding against the handle members.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved quick acting wrench which will not'bind under the most adverse conditions and which is easily and quickly adjustable so as to fit the object being grasped by the opposed jaws.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-binding quick acting wrench which will work under trying conditions even though subjected to an accumulation of foreign matter such as dirt, congealed grease, and

oil upon the bearings and the operating nut of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a non-binding pipe wrench which is cooperable for optimum positioning of the shank carrying the upper jaw in orderj to substantially reduce the cut taken out of the pipe or other object being held by the upper jaw.

atent O" 2,837,952 Patented June 10, 1958 With the above points in mind, it is an object of th present invention to provide an improved non-binding wrench which will effectively function as a pipe wrench, a monkey wrench, acrescent wrench, or any of various other types of adjustable wrenches.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character set forth in the preceding objects, which is inexpensive, simple, easy-to-operate and of virtually foolproof construction.

Other and allied objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a careful perusal, examination and study of the accompanying illustrations, the present specifica tion, and the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, reference will be made to the hereinbelow described figures, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an illustrative non-binding quick acting wrench of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the wrench, with parts of the device shown in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the lines Ill-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines IV-IV in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines VV in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the operating nut.

General speaking, the quick acting non-binding wrench indicated generally at 7, which in the particular example illustrated takes the form of a pipe wrench, has a handle in the form of parallel members 8, as best shown in Fig. 1. The handle is preferably made from a single piece of metal rod which is bent double so that the parallel handle members 8 have an integral lower end 9.

A lower jaw 16 is fixedly'attached by the rivets 11 to the upper end of the parallel handie members 8, as best shown in Fig. 2, and with the work engaging serrated face 12'of the lower jaw 10 being upwardly positioned.

A rod 13 having an upper square threaded portion 14 and a lower quick acting helical threaded portion 15 is Fig. 2.

A non-binding integral operating nut 18 isslidably mounted between the parallel members 8 and surrounds the quick acting threaded portion 15, as shown in Figs, 1,

5, and 6, and is cooperable to impart rotary motion to the rod 13 thereby causing the slidable carriage 29 to advance or retract. The non-binding operating nut 18 has centrally depressed, spacedly opposed, engaging contacts 19, as best shown in Pi 5, which are in partial threaded engagement with the quick acting threaded portion 15, as best shown in Fig. 5. This partial threading arrangement by means of the spacedly opposed engaging contacts 19 is extremely advantageous since the rod 13 is threadingly engaged at only two points, thereby reducing and virtually eliminating the possibility that any foreign matter will cause the rod 13 and the operating nut 18 to bind. Any foreign matter accumulated has the tendency to hit the contact points 19 and slide off to the side and out of the interior of the hollow nut 18 without any binding action taking place.

The slidable carriage 20, which is slidably mounted on the parallel handle members 8, has an interiorly threaded aperture 21 in threaded engagement with the upper square threaded portion 14, wheereby the carriage 20 may be advanced or retracted.

The carriage 2% includes bearings 22 that are provided with longitudinal grooves 23 wherein the parallel mem bers 8 are slidably disposed. Said grooves 23 are parallel with the handle members 8 and are cooperable for prov'idingi an outlet for any foreign matter that has become enmeshed therein. Longitudinally disposed convexly curved edges 24 positioned between the grooves 23 and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of the bearings 22 between said grooves 23 provide needed clearance so that any particles of dirt may easily slide into the grooves 23. Also, said convexly curved edges 24 serve to prevent any particle of dirt from being caught on a corner and scoring the walls of the bearings 22 or the parallel members 8, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The shank 25 is provided with an integral upper jaw 26 which is disposed opposite the lower jaw and is pivotally mounted at the opposite end to the carriage by means. of the pivot pin 27 for limited pivotal movemeat. The lower end of the shank is disposed within the hood 28, as shown in Figs. l3, and 4, and with the hood 28 having flanges 29 abutting the lower end of the carriage 2t and with the pivot pin 27 and the flanges 29 rigidly securing the hood 23 with respect to the carriage 20.

The hood 28 has a first coil spring 39 which is interposed between the lower portion of the shank 25 and the rear portion of the hood 28 which biases the shank 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 2, and has a second leaf spring 31, interposed between the hood 28 and the shank 25 upwardly of the spring 30, which acts to bias the shank 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Fig, 2. The leaf spring 31 is mounted with a bent portion lying in a slot in the hood 28 as indicated at 32, as best shown in Fig. 2. The oppositely acting biasing springs 30 and 31 position the shank 25 and the upper jaw 26 in the most favorable position for gripping a pipe. If the shank 25 and jaw 26 are positioned in the extreme rearward position the jaw 26 will cut into the pipe too deeply when pressure is applied to the handle 8. If the shank 25 and jaw 26 are positioned in the extreme forward position the extra pressure exerted by the pivoting shank 25 is nil. The optimum positioning of the present invention automatically secures the shank 25 and jaw 26 in the most favorable position for gripping a pipe (and for releas ing the same for readjusting purposes, when desired) by means of the oppositely biased springs 30 and 31.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after'a careful study hereof. All such properly within the basic spirit, scope and/or teachings of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed.

The exact compositions, configurations,-constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior wrench art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. A non-binding wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members connected at one end; a lower jaw attached to the opposite end of said handle; a rotatably mounted rod disposed between said parallel members; said rod having an upper threaded portion and a lower quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having central engaging contacts in threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said handle; non-binding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, for said parallel members; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves; a shank attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being dispsed opposite said lower jaw.

2. A non-binding wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members connected at one end; a lower jaw attached to the opposite end of said handle; a rotatably mounted rod disposed between said parallel members; said rod having an upper threaded portion and a lower quick acting portion; a non-binding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having central engaging contacts in threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said handle; non-binding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, for said parallel members; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate pro- 'ecting portions of said bearings between said grooves; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood secured to said carriage.

3. A non-binding wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at one end; a lower jaw attached to the upper end of said handle; a rotatably mounted rod disposed between said parallel members; said rod having an upper threaded portion and a lower quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having spacedly opposed engaging contacts in partial threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a

non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members; non-binding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being'slidably disposed therein; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood rigidly secured to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed within said hood; said hood having spring means cooperable for optimum positioning of said shank.

4. A non-binding pipe wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at the lower end thereof; a lower jaw carried on the upper end of said parallel members; a rotatably mounted rod disposed between said parallel members; said rod having an upper threaded portion and a lower quick acting threaded portion; a nonbinding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having central engaging contacts in threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members; non-binding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being slidably disposed therein; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood rigidly secured to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed within said hood; said hood having oppositely biased spring means cooperable for optimum positioning of said shank.

5. A non-binding pipe wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at the lower end thereof; a lower jaw carried on the upper end of said parallel members; a rotatably mounted rod, disposed between said parallel members, having one end rotatably mounted in said integrally connected end of said handle and having the opposite end impinging on the rear face of said lower jaw; said rod having an upper threaded portion and a lower quick acting threaded portion; a nonbinding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted, between said parallel members, having spacedly opposed engaging contacts in partial threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members; nonbinding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being slidably disposed therein; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves and parallel to said parallel members; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood rigidly secured to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed within said hood; said hood having oppositely biased spring means cooperable for optimum positioning of said shank.

6. A non-binding pipe wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at the lower end thereof; a lower jaw carried on the upper end of said parallel members; a rotatably mounted rod, disposed between said parallel members, having one end rotatably mounted in said integrally connected end of said handle and having the opposite end impinging on the rear face of said lower jaw; said rod having an upper square threaded portion and a lower quick acting helical threaded portion; a non-binding operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having spacedly opposed engaging contacts in partial threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members; non-binding bearings provided with grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being slidably disposed therein, said grooves being parallel with said parallel members; longitudinally disposed curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves and parallel to said parallel members; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood rigidly secured to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed within said hood; said hood having a first spring, interposed between the lower portion of said shank and the rear portion of said hood, and having a second, oppositely biased, spring disposed upwardly of said first spring.

7. A non-binding pipe wrench, comprising: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at the lower end thereof; a lower jaw carried on the upper end of said parallel members; a rotatably mounted rod, disposed between said parallel members, having one end rotatably mounted in said integrally connected end of said handle and having the opposite end impinging on the rear face of said lower jaw; said rod having an upper square threaded portion and a lower quick acting helical threaded portion; a non-binding integral operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having centrally depressed, spacedly opposed, engaging contacts in partial threaded engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members and having an interiorly threaded aperture in threaded engagement with said upper threaded portion of said rod; non-binding bearings provided with symmetrically disposed grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being slidably disposed therein, said grooves being parallel with said parallel members; longitudinally disposed convexly curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves; a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood having flanges abutting the lower end of said carriage thereby rigidly securing said hood to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed within said hood; said hood having a first spring, interposed between the lower portion of said shank and the rear portion of said hood, and having a second, oppositely biased, spring disposed upwardly of said first spring.

8. A non-binding pipe wrench, comprisinng: a handle having parallel members integrally connected at the lower end thereof; a lower jaw carried on the upper end of said parallel members; a rotatably mounted rod, disposed between said parallel members, having one end rotatably mounted in said integrally connected end of said handle and having the opposite end impinging on the rear face of said lower jaw; said rod having an upper square threaded portion and a lower quick acting helical threaded portion; a non-binding integral operating nut, surrounding said quick acting threaded portion and slidably mounted between said parallel members, having centrally depressed spaced opposed, engaging contacts in partial thradedj engagement with said quick acting threaded portion; a

non-binding carriage slidably mounted on said parallel members and having an interiorly threaded aperture in threaded engagement with said upper threaded portion of said rod; non-binding bearings provided with symmetrically disposed grooves, in said non-binding carriage, and with said parallel members being slidably disposed therein, said grooves being parallel with said parallel members; longitudinally disposed convexly curved edges between said grooves and the remaining intermediate projecting portions of said bearings between said grooves;

- a shank pivotally attached at its lower end with respect to said carriage and carrying an upper jaw at the opposite end, and with said upper jaw being disposed opposite said lower jaw; a hood having flanges abutting the lower end of said carriage thereby rigidly securing said hood to said carriage; said shank having its lower portion disposed Within said hood; said hood having a coil spring, interposed between the lower portion of said shank and the rear portion of said hood, and having an oppositely biased leaf spring interposed between the intermediate portion of said shank and the upper portion of said hood.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 732,752 Kules July 7, 1903 1,014,714 Mekeel Jan. 16, 1912 1,739,182 Schlote Dec. 10, 1929 2,261,450 Pritchett Nov. 4, 1941 2,447,094 Schlote Aug. 17, 1948 2,603,116 Schlote et al July 15, 1952 2,753,748 Schlote July 10, 1956 2,795,987 Schlote June 18, 1957 

